The church bell marks the hours that lazily slide by on summer days as the melody of cow bells announce the location of various small cattle herds moving between milking stations and the lush pastures. These cows, with help from age-old recipes, turn the wild flowers and grass into one of the finest cheeses in the world - comte.

For more than 10 years, I have visited my parents in this mountainous region and look forward to each trip. While relaxing, there are many things to do beyond drinking wine (great but unknown wines are produced in this area) and eating cheese. Bike rides around the lake, canoe trips across the lake and hikes in the mountains easily fill the days. For us, Les Grangettes is a welcome place of relaxation and laughter as we enjoy the summer.